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Showing posts from February, 2013

THREE FISHERMEN PLUCKED FROM LIFERAFT AFTER BOAT SINKS

Three fishermen from the Isle of Lewis were rescued from a liferaft by the Coastguard rescue helicopter based in Stornoway after their ten-metre fishing vessel ‘Achieve’ sank. At just after 3pm today Stornoway Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre heard a spoken Mayday call asking for urgent assistance. Because no location was given Stornoway Coastguard calculated the likely location of the fishing vessel by triangulating the strength of the radio signal through their cluster of radio aerials and checked with local ports and harbours for a vessel of the same name. Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre reported that a distress alert had been received from a RNLI ‘Man Overboard Beacon’ and so the Leverburgh RNLI Lifeboat was asked to go to this position along with the Coastguard rescue helicopter based at Stornoway. When the helicopter arrived on scene they saw a red flare launched by the liferaft. All three crew members were winched from the liferaft in to the helicopter a

SEABIRDS CONTAMINATION: FINAL STATEMENT

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has been carrying out investigations to try to locate the source of a product that contaminated seabirds off the south coast of England . After tests were carried out on a sample of the product, it was identified as polyisobutene, or polyisobutyliene (PIB). This is a fairly common chemical carried aboard ships and it is produced in a large number of countries. Despite further tests, we have been unable to identify specific components of the product that may have helped us find the source. We did not receive any reports of pollution within the English Channel area at the time when the birds were coming ashore, but a MCA counter pollution surveillance aircraft surveyed the English Channel from Dover to the Isles of Scilly. In addition, images from the European Maritime Safety Agency’s satellites were reviewed. No pollution was detected. As such, we have concluded that it is highly unlikely we will be able to link the pollution to an

MUD WARNING AFTER THREE RESCUES IN DORSET

People are once again being urged to take extra care when out on the coast, after three separate incidents in Dorset over the weekend where people had become stuck in mud. Portland Coastguard coordinated all three rescues, with the first on Friday lunchtime in Swanage where a man was stuck in mud near Pines Hotel. Swanage Coastguard Rescue Team and Dorset Fire and Rescue were sent to the scene and together they managed to extract the man safely. The second rescue was on Saturday afternoon when Lulworth Coastguard Rescue Team responded to a report of two people stuck up to their waists in mud on the east side of Lulworth Cove. Once on scene, the two had managed to free themselves and apart from being cold, they were uninjured. They were given warm drinks by the Coastguard Rescue Officers and helped back to their vehicle. The third incident on Sunday afternoon happened at Chapmans Pool on the Isle of Purbeck. Portland Coastguard took a 999 call from someone who spotted a ma

SAFETY TRAINING CERTIFICATE FRAUD LANDS FISHERMAN IN COURT

A Cornish fisherman has today pleaded guilty to breaches of the Fraud Act 2006 and Safety Training Regulations, and has been made to pay a total of £14,528 in fines and costs.   44-year-old Alan Fairless, of St. Austell, is the owner and operator of the lobster boat "Flying Spray IV” based in Charlestown . In January 2012, the boat was inspected by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) but Mr. Fairless failed to produce evidence of completion of the mandatory safety courses in Sea Survival, Fire Fighting, First Aid and Safety Awareness. He was asked to produce the required certificates within 14 days.   He told the MCA he could not find the certificates, and was then requested to provide evidence of dates booked to attend the required courses. In May, he was issued with an Improvement Notice to complete the safety courses. Despite saying he had to cancel one course to attend a funeral, Mr. Fairless then contacted the MCA at the end of June to say he had found his cer

LANDSLIP ON MONMOUTH BEACH, DORSET

Lyme Regis Coastguard Rescue Team has this afternoon been assisting with a large landslip on Monmouth Beach , Lyme Regis. Portland Coastguard received a number of 999 calls at around midday , and has been liaising with other authorities to ensure people stay away from the danger areas. Lyme Regis Coastguard Rescue Team has put a temporary cordon in place. Some sections of the coast around the UK are particularly vulnerable to cliff falls and landslips. Her Majesty’s Coastguard is again advising the public to take great care when walking on cliff paths or along beaches, and take note of any warning signs in place. If you get into difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. UPDATE: 13:55 Monday 11th February Lyme Regis Coastguard Rescue Team and the Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter based at Portland were both sent to the scene to establish whether members of the public on the beach at the time had been caught in the fall. Eye witness accounts

NINE FOREIGN FLAGGED SHIPS UNDER DETENTION IN THE UK DURING DECEMBER 2012

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) announced today that nine foreign flagged ships were under detention in UK ports during December 2012 after failing Port State Control (PSC) inspection. Latest monthly figures show that there were five new detentions of foreign flagged vessels in UK ports during December 2012 and four vessels remained under detention from previous months. Only three vessels remained under detention at the end of December. The overall rate of detentions compared with inspections carried out over the last twelve months was 3.52% this is slightly up from November’s twelve month rate. Out of the detained vessels five were registered with a flag state listed on the Paris MOU white list, two was registered with a flag state on the grey list, one was registered with a flag state on the black list, one was unregistered and none were registered with a flag state that was not included on the Paris MOU white, grey or black lists. 1. In response to one of the recommend

CAPSIZED KAYAKER LOCATED OFF AYRSHIRE COAST

Belfast Coastguard received a 999 call this afternoon reporting an overturned kayak 300 yards away from Culzean castle off the Ayrshire coast. Belfast requested the Rescue helicopter from Prestwick to scramble, and the Girvan all weather lifeboat and the Girvan and Ayr Coastguard Rescue Teams to attend the scene. The helicopter located the casualty swiftly due to the precise location details given by the informant. He was winched aboard the helicopter from Culzean bay and then transferred to Ayr hospital where he is being treated for hypothermia.  The Girvan lifeboat managed to recover the kayak with the assistance of the Girvan and Ayr Coastguard Rescue Team members. Belfast Watch manager, Lawrence Cumming said We were concerned for this mans safety, we would like to take this opportunity to give the following safety advice to kayakers Ensure that someone knows your passage plan including points of arrival and departure.  Check weather forecasts and ensure that your skill levels are a

CARGO SHIP AGROUND OFF MOSTYN HARBOUR, NORTH WALES - UPDATE

The owners of the RO/RO cargo ship 'Ciudad de Cadiz', which ran aground off Mostyn Harbour in North Wales, on Wednesday 30 January 2013, decided against attempting to re-float today at high tide. The cargo ship remains in an upright position, with no reports of any damage or pollution. Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of State's Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention is continuing to closely monitor the situation. There is no pollution risk and the intention is to attempt to re-float the ship at the next Spring tide around the 9th or 10th of February. A Salvage Control Unit (SCU) will be set up on Tuesday next week.

STORNOWAY RECOVER TWO MEN AND THEIR DOGS FROM WATER

This afternoon Stornoway Coastguard received a 999 call reporting two men in the water at Loch Linnhe Marina, near Appin.   The two men, along with their two dogs had been transporting sheep between the mainland and Shuna Island, Loch Linnhe. Their 16ft vessel had capsized, throwing them into the water.   Oban lifeboat was launched, two local vessels also attended the scene to offer assistance. The men were  wearing buoyancy aids, one drifted ashore, the other was recovered into one of the assiting marina boats.   Appin Coast Rescue Team recovered and secured the capsized vessel discovering one of the dogs, alive and well but trapped in an air pocket underneath the boat. The other dog swum ashore, unfortunately none of the sheep survived.   Both casualties were taken by ambulance to Lorne and Islands hospital in Oban where one is being treated for hypothermia. Martin Collins, Watch Manager said: These two shepherds have had a lucky escape today, given the tempera

STATEMENT: SEABIRDS COVERED IN TYPE OF WAXY SUBSTANCE

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is the UK authority that responds to pollution from shipping and offshore installations. The MCA is regularly called upon to react to a wide range of maritime incidents and to develop a comprehensive response procedure to deal with any emergency at sea that causes pollution or threatens to cause pollution. This occurrence of seabirds being washed up on south coast beaches contaminated with a product is rare. We are working with partner organisations and agencies to deal with this event. The Environment Agency has taken samples of the product and is currently analysing it to identify it. The RSPCA and RSPB are collecting data and the contaminated birds are being cleaned at the RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Somerset . We will continue to monitor this situation and await the results of the analysis of the product. We have received no specific reports of pollution within the English Channel area, but we have sent one o